COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 17 February

February 17, 2022

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

Note: Percentages may decrease due to changes in the number of inpatients and in the number of staff members (starters and leavers). 

1. New: Returning to fluid resistant face masks

As the risk posed to patients and colleagues from the current wave of COVID-19 reduces, we are now in a position to change our face mask requirements in some areas – returning to fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSMs) rather than FFP3 in amber areas.

This means that colleagues who work in amber or non-outbreak areas should return to wearing FRSMs. Individual risk assessments will also indicate level of PPE for all colleagues and some colleagues will be wearing enhanced PPE, depending on their risk assessment, as well as the clinical activity they are undertaking.

Patients should continue to wear FRSMs in all areas except when eating, drinking or sleeping.

2. New: It’s safe to meet face to face – as long as you follow the rules

After almost two years of moving to online meetings and virtual conferences, we are now in a position to plan a return to face-to-face meetings – but there are some rules to keep you safe.

From the 1 March, colleagues can begin to book face-to-face meetings but the following precautions should be taken to do so safely:

• Remain within the allocated ‘max capacity’ of each meeting area. This determines how many people each meeting space can safely accommodate whilst still allowing colleagues to social distance.
• Colleagues should continue to wear fluid resistant surgical face masks when in a shared space, this includes when meeting with team members and close colleagues.
• One metre social distancing space should be adhered to to ensure colleagues remain safe.

Colleagues should continue to risk assess their surroundings and ensure they take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and those around them.

3. New: Easing of visiting restrictions from 2 March

 From 2 March we are easing our visiting restrictions to allow inpatients in amber areas to receive one visitor for up to 30 minutes per day. Patients can nominate two individuals who can visit for the duration of their stay, ideally from the same household. Visitors must use hand sanitiser and wear a face mask on entry. They must also show evidence of a negative lateral flow test result taken that same day to be checked on entrance to the building. All visits must be booked in advance by telephoning the ward to allow wards to limit the number of visitors on a ward/bay at any one time. All visitors must be free of COVID-19 symptoms, and must not attend if they are a household contact of a COVID-19 positive case. We regret we are unable to allow visits by children (under 16 years) or those who are immunocompromised.

For more information see the visiting information here.

The current visiting arrangements for paediatrics, maternity and ICU remain in place. Maternity services will be increasing the length of time that partners are allowed to visit on inpatient wards. Our usual exemptions apply for inpatient children, those at end of life and people who lack mental capacity.

Red and green areas, where visiting is current not allowed should ensure you have robust systems in place to communicate with relatives/next of kin and to support communication between patients and their loved ones.

We will review visiting arrangements regularly based on a risk assessment taking into account COVID-19 case rates in the community and numbers of COVID-19 cases in our hospitals.

4. New: Safely using shuttles and car sharing

Using the staff shuttle to get between Sandwell and City hospitals is a great way to limit your impact on the environment and if you need to travel out to other sites it’s worth considering car sharing.

Using the shuttle and car sharing can be done safely with minimal effort involved. Simply ensure you wear a face mask when you’re on the shuttle and space yourselves out to use the whole bus. Our existing capacity restrictions in the shuttle bus remain in place at present. If you are car sharing, remember to wear your masks, open the windows and space yourself by sitting in the front and the rear of the vehicle.

Colleagues who would like to make the most of car sharing, cycling to work or sharing journeys can join the new Kinto app.

To get started, simply download the Kinto app and join the SWB NHS network communities depending on which site(s) you travel to: SWBH – Sandwell Hospital, SWBH – Birmingham City Hospital and SWBH – Rowley Regis.

Note: Don’t forget to use your NHS email address when signing up. Only approved work emails will be verified allowing you to connect, communicate and ‘buddy up’ safely with your colleagues.

5. New: Moving from LAMP to lateral flow – Keeping safe with simple testing

Although restrictions may have eased, working in the healthcare sector means it is possible we will  come in to contact with those suffering with COVID-19 and vulnerable patients – so it’s critically important that we stay on top of testing.

From the 14 March we will move from our current LAMP testing programme which requires colleagues to submit a saliva sample on a weekly basis to colleagues being asked to complete lateral flow tests at home twice a week before they come in to work. You will be required to report your lateral flow results and we will advise you of the reporting arrangements in due course.

Lateral flow testing kits can be ordered online from the following website with colleagues either having them delivered directly to their home address or alternatively collecting from community locations.

Order your lateral flow kit online here: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

6. New: Working from home guidance has been updated – Roadmap to returning to normality

The working from home guidance has been updated and is currently being reviewed in order for our Trust to enable a supportive transition for colleagues to begin returning to office working.

As the government roadmap indicates a lifting of restrictions and that a return to onsite work is possible, all staff should be prepared to work onsite when required to do so (subject to any changes to government guidance).

However, we recognise that the last couple of years has been challenging and the pandemic has changed the circumstances of some and impacted both work and personal lives. For those who have been working remotely for the past year, the prospect of returning may be exciting and/or anxiety inducing for multiple reasons. There may also be practical considerations and the need to plan for many.

SWB is committed to working with our people to ensure they are supported as we start to plan our return to ‘normal working’  and will maintain a ‘people first’ approach, focussed on the wellbeing of our staff as we have throughout the pandemic.

Accepting that some will feel anxious and have practical considerations about returning, leaders and managers are asked to deal with the gradual return in a sympathetic and supportive manner, including considering if there are reasons for increased flexibility to continue during this period. If you require advice at any stage, please contact your HR Business Partner.

During the transition back to work, a flexible and supportive approach is essential to:

• Welcome staff back to onsite work in a phased way, taking into account the impact the pandemic has had on the individual circumstances, mental and physical health.
• Account for the fact that some Trust buildings have been repurposed during the pandemic (i.e. Trinity House) so are no longer available at the same capacity.
• Anticipate possible future changes to government guidance including the potential to revert to ‘work from home if you can’ or similar guidance.
• Ensure any social distancing guidance that might impact building capacity is observed as well as other Infection Control measures
• Trial and test new working methods with a view to exploring what our future working practices will be.

Recognising the above, managers are encouraged to make local arrangements to bring their teams back to site to re-connect, re-familiarise and benefit from SWB facilities. Individual staff may also return to work on a regular basis should they wish. Subject to government guidance, SWB sites will revert to being the default workplace for those staff who have worked remotely for the duration of the pandemic.

7. New: Staying fit – Gym set to reopen at Sandwell Hospital

Colleagues at Sandwell Hospital will be pleased to hear that Sandwell Gym will be reopening from 1 March for colleagues to use.

Sandwell gym is available to all colleagues to use. Simply register your interest to use the gym with Occupational Health and following a simple induction you can begin to use the gym to get fit.

Located on the Ground floor of Trinity House, the gym accommodates a maximum of 2 users at any one time and colleagues will be limited to a maximum of 40 minutes each.

For existing members: Your pass will be activated ready for use from the 1 March.

For new members: Please contact Jatinder Sekhon, email jatinder.sekhon@nhs.net or call 0121 507 3854 to complete your registration.